Birth control means



Sept. 2, 1969 J. MURPHY 3,464,499

BIRTH CONTROL MEANS Filed 0st. 21, 1965 urmus IN VEN TOR.

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3,464,409 BIRTH CONTROL MEANS James Wurphy, 50 E. 69th St., New York, N.Y. 1002i Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 499,223 int. Cl. A6lf /46; Alm 31/00 US. Cl. l2'el.29 5 Claims ABSTRAUI OF THE DISCLQSURE An intrauterine contraceptive device comprising a soft, resilient inflatable cylindrical tube, having special expandible pouches positioned axially about this tube. Attached to one end is a hose for introducing either air or water from outside the uterus into the device to inflate it to its working size and to prevent extrusion from the womb. Prior to insertion it is deflated and of such small diameter as to permit easy and comfortable insertion into the uterus. Once in place and inflated by air or water pressure, provision is made to seal the hose to prevent leakage and subsequent deflation. If, at any time subsequent to placement in the uterus, conception is desired, removal of the device is easily accomplished by merely breaking the seal, thus permitting the water or air to leak out and deflating the device to its original small diameter. Removal is then accomplished by pulling on the end of the hose which has been left in the vagina, coiled around the cervix.

The present invention relates to means to regulate birth, and more particularly it relates to birth control devices for the regulation, control and the prevention of development of the human ova or fetus in the womb. More specifically the present invention provides for an artificial means to help distend, stretch and enlarge the volume of the uterus pouch so as to prevent the formation of the fetus in the womb.

To accomplish this end the present invention provides for the introduction into the uterus of an inflatable balloon-shaped device which normally can be inserted into the uterus by hand (or a special instrument). Means are provided to inflate the balloon and thereafter to shut and to trap the air (or liquid) into the balloon so as to prevent it from deflating prematurely. To this effect the device in question may be provided with a very thin flexible tube or hose which connects the balloon to an air (or liquid) syringe. By means of the syringe air (or liquid) under pressure is introduced into the balloon to inflate it. With the balloon inflated to its required size, the tube, by means of a tread or knot tied over it, is made air (or liquid) tight. Then it is cut. The length of the tube extends from the uterus and is snuggly pressed into the vagina to stay there secure until it is pulled or removed when it is necessary to remove the balloon from the uterus. It is understood that preliminary to its removal the tube is cut to release the air (or liquid) and to deflate the balloon.

To make it possible so that the tube has sufficient resiliency to stay coiled around the cervix or vagina (and not to come out) the tube is provided with a helix which by nature of its shape is under the influence of spring pressure and tension. This effect prevents the tube from becoming loose and to interfere with the natural needs of the woman wearing it.

The device can also be made in such a fashion that no tube leading out of the womb is necessary. This can be accomplished by means of a self-closing valve or selfsealing rubber or plastic material at the point of juncture between the inflatable contraceptive device and the tubing inflating it. This makes the procedure a bit more difficult when it is necessary to remove the device when the aired States Patent 9 fi Fatented Sept. 2, 1969 device is no longer needed or when normal conception is desired. Even so, all that is needed is a puncturing device which when inserted into the uterus, punctures the inflated balloon causing it to deflate and making it relatively easy to remove.

There are several other uterine conceptive devices in process of trial and experiment. The ones most mentioned in medical literature are those of Margulies, called the Margulies Spiral, then there is the Lippe Loop, which has a thread for self-removal. The oldest of such devices, the Grafenburg Rings, are not inflatable and require surgical intervention for their placement and removal.

All the foregoing devices are uncomfortable, poorly tolerated do not remain in place readily because of their small cross-section area and poor deformability. In addition special insertion tools are necessary to permit proper placement. The necessary manner of their application makes it almost impossible for them to act in a safe and sanitary manner. Because they are made of hard resilient material they may injure the delicate membranes inside the uterus. The soft inflatable rubber or plastic, but biologically inert material from which the present device may be fabricated makes it ideal for long retention inside this very sensitive organ. The raised or corrugated surface is designed to permit normal flow of fluid without irritation or blockage. Because some women are unaware of having expelled present devices and there is no way for them to tell if they have indeed expelled these other devices or not, the present device is superior in that it furnishes a reliable means for checking the proper placement of the device. The end of the inflating tube can always be palpated or felt at the entrance of the cervix. If the device deflates accidentally due to air (or fluid) loss from the interior, because of its thin crosssection when deflated, it will be almost immediately expelled and noticed. It is also possible to inflate the device with a colored fluid or dye which will reveal itself if any leak occurs, thus assuring prompt remedial action.

The other advantages of the present device are, case of application, greater comfort and less irritation, positive knowledge of correct placement, indication of accidental leakage or loss from womb. In addition it combines easy removal without the need for surgical intervention with sanitary and reliable retention as long as desired.

Accordingly the main object of the present invention is to provide a birth control device of the class described which would be inexpensive to mass produce, safe and easy to install into and to remove from the uterus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a birth control device preferably made of soft resilient rubber or plastic and which may be provided with several pockets or pouches which may be inflatable by means of air (or fluid) forced into the device.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an elongated cylindrical device closed at one end and provided at the other end with a nipple attached to a flexible and resilient tube or hose. The device in question formed around its periphery with several easily inflatable balloon-like pockets or pouches. Said device being formed of harder and thicker plastic or rubber than the aforementioned pouches. When air (or fluid) is forced into the device said action will force the pouches to expand independently of the device in question.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tube or a hose with a flexible helix which under normal conditions will maintain its helical shape whether it is out or inside the uterus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the flexible tube or hose with an air (or liquid) syringe with a valve.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction, and the combination and arrangement of parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and specifically pointed out in the appended claims. In describing the invention in detail, references will be made to the accompanying drawing where like character numerals denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates diagrammatically the female genitals in cross-section;

FIG. 2 is showing the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section through the uterus showing the man ner in which the present invention is utilized; and

FIG. 5 is a section similar to FIG. 4, with the device of the present invention shown inflated.

It is to be understood that the present form of disclosure is merely for the purpose of illustration and that there might be devised various modifications thereof without departing from the spirit of the invention as herein set forth.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the device 10, best seen in cross-section in FIG. 2, comprises, in combination, the resilient, elongated tubular or cylindrical member 11 which at its upper end terminates into the cap-shaped extension 12, and at its lowermost end 12a has a nipple 13 which is provided with a tiny entry opening, or hole 14. The nipple 13 extends beyond the end 12a of the device 11 to facilitate its mounting to the end 15 of the flexible and resilient hose or rubber tubing 16, substantially as shown.

From FIG. 3 it may be discerned that the device is provided with several (in this case four) resilient pockets or pouches 17 to 20, inclusive, which are formed from the body of the cylindrical member 11 and are preferably disposed around its outer periphery. The four pouches are formed in such a manner as to extend slightly beyond the circumference of the member 11, substantially as shown. The pockets or pouches aforesaid are formed of the very same resilient material that the device or the member 11 is made from and are an integral part thereof but may be of a substantially lesser thickness. In fact so much so as to permit independent expansion under the influence-of air (or liquid) pressure introduced into the member 11 (through the medium of a syringe S) which may be secured to the opposite end a of the flexible hose 16. The dotted lines in FIG. 3 indicate the various relative positions assumed by the expanding pouches 17 to 20, inclusive as they are being inflated under the influence of air (or liquid) pressure supplied by the syringe S. The syringe S may be provided with a conventional type one-way air valve to permit entry of air (or liquid) into the syringe but no exit. By means of the air pressure created by the syringe S it will be possible to expand and to inflate the pouches 17 to 20 to any desirable configuration (balloon) as required and comfort permits.

Reference now being made to the flexible tubing 16, it may be discerned (from FIGS. 2 and 4, inclusive) that the length of tubing closest to the end 15 may be formed with a natural helix 21 comprising a number of helical coils wound around one another substantially as shown. The tubing 16 may be formed in its present form (helix) during the process of manufacture, under heat treatment, and normally will tend to maintain its helical configuration unless it is pulled. It is, of course, understood that when the tube 16 is left free in its normal state, it automatically returns and assumes its original helical configuration before it was extended.

The helix 21 is an important feature of the present invention as it permits withdrawal of the (cut) end 16b of the tube 16 into the vagina. Due to its natural tendency to assume the form of a helix the tube end 16a (in the vagina) winds itself around the lower end of this memher in the general configuration 16c, substantially as shown in FIG. 5. The tube end 16a maintains itself in the coiled position 16c until it is ready for removal. To remove the tube end 16a and the device 10 from the uterus will require the application of a special instrument resembling a pair of pliers (not shown). By means of the instrument aforesaid the tube end 16a is grappled and pulled. This action will dislodge the tube 16a (shown in dotted lines) permitting it to be pulled free from the uterus and cut to release the air (or fluid) so as to deflate the pouches 17 to 20 in the device 10. Further pull upon the tube end 16a will dislodge the tube and the device 10 from the cervix and the uterus.

Minor changes in shape, size and materials, and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in acutal practice, as long as no departure is made from the invention claimed.

A careful examination of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings, will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty, sufiicient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Having described my invention, what I claim as novel and original is the following:

1. A device of the class described, comprising, in combination, a resilient cylindrical body formed closed at its top and open at its opposite end, said body being provided with a nipple, an air hole in said nipple, a flexible and resilient air hose with a syringe secured to said nipple to blow air under pressure into said cylindrcal body, a plurality of pouches provided and disposed around the outer circumference of said body, said pouches being formed of the same resilient material as said cylindrical body and being an integral part thereof, but being in cross-section of lesser thickness, said pouches being inflatable by means of the air forced into said body by means of said syringe, the air pressure in said body and in said resilient pouches being maintained constant by a knot tied to the end of said hose through the medium of a length of string.

2. The combination according to claim 1; said pockets or pouches formed around the outer periphery of said cylindrical body.

3. The combination according to claim 1; said device being formed in the shape of an elongated cylindrical body having a cap-shaped closed upper end and a nipple with a hole in its lower end, and a plurality of pouches disposed around its outer circumference and in a circle about its natural center.

4. A device of the class described, comprising, in combination a flexible resilient hose of substantial length having both ends open, one end of said hose being formed into a helix, said helix comprising coils of tubing wound a spiral about a common center with the other end of said tubing hanging free.

5. The combination according to claim 1, consisting of a flexible heat-sealing hose which can be sealed tightly to prevent any leakage by means of a moderately hot curling iron or any other readily available household device which can melt the tubing end sufliciently to form an airor water-tight seal. Once sealed, the tubing can be placed into the vagina in such a way as to coil about the cervix, which coiling is facilitated by having the tubing or hose preformed in the shape of a helix.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,856,920 10/1958 Indelicato 128-130 FOREIGN PATENTS 336,715 1/1904 France.

ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner 

